2025 Major League Baseball Thread

[Hi-Def Steve]

Piazza and Griffey Jr., my two favorite players of all time. I was devastated when FOX traded Mike.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

Piazza and Griffey Jr., my two favorite players of all time. I was devastated when FOX traded Mike.

I never really understood why the Dodgers did not sign Piazza when he hit free agency. They had the money and Mike was in the middle of a Hall of Fame career. He was coming off his best season ever when he got traded.

[Hi-Def Steve]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I never really understood why the Dodgers did not sign Piazza when he hit free agency. They had the money and Mike was in the middle of a Hall of Fame career. He was coming off his best season ever when he got traded.

Here's what I found from a Dodger blog site

May 15, 1998... a day that will live in infamy. After rejecting the Dodgers' $84 million contract offer, Piazza was traded to the Marlins along with Todd Zeile for Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson, Bobby Bonilla, and Tourettes-inflicted Jim Eisenreich. While Sheffield certainly paid dividends for the Dodgers, putting up solid numbers for three years he was in LA, the Piazza trade marked the beginning of the end of Dodger tradition. It was Fox's first major move, and it showed how much they knew about baseball: nothing. The move was engineered by two TV guys, Peter Chernin and Chase Carey. Fred Claire, as lousy as he was, would never have made such a move--trading a certain Hall of Famer in his prime, the cornerstone of the organization, a guy loved by fans. After the trade, Piazza went on to hit 250 more home runs. Still sickening.

[Batman1980]

Twins have now won 7 of their past 8 as they beat the Rangers 5-4 with a walk-off RBI in the 9th. Still surprised at how well they're doing lately. Hopefully this 7-15 home record will be a winning one soon.

[Lacit170]

Joba Chamberlain out for season likely to have Tommy Johns surgery.... our once strong point (bullpen) is now getting pretty thin...wonder what moves will be addressed this year and who we bring in... i imagine Cashman will be quite active

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

Joba Chamberlain out for season likely to have Tommy Johns surgery.... our once strong point (bullpen) is now getting pretty thin...wonder what moves will be addressed this year and who we bring in... i imagine Cashman will be quite active

I've heard rumors that they could potentially trade for Kerry Wood. I don't know how Wood would feel about that. The Yankees offered him the most money this past offseason but he chose the Cubs because he wants Chicago to be his permanent home when he retires and now that his children are school age he wants them to stay in Chicago. However, since the Cubs are pretty well out of contention he could agree to go back to New York for the remainder of the season.

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

I've heard rumors that they could potentially trade for Kerry Wood. I don't know how Wood would feel about that. The Yankees offered him the most money this past offseason but he chose the Cubs because he wants Chicago to be his permanent home when he retires and now that his children are school age he wants them to stay in Chicago. However, since the Cubs are pretty well out of contention he could agree to go back to New York for the remainder of the season.

`we could use him... we need some arms....CC and Colon have been the only reliable starters thus far too

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

I've heard rumors that they could potentially trade for Kerry Wood. I don't know how Wood would feel about that. The Yankees offered him the most money this past offseason but he chose the Cubs because he wants Chicago to be his permanent home when he retires and now that his children are school age he wants them to stay in Chicago. However, since the Cubs are pretty well out of contention he could agree to go back to New York for the remainder of the season.

He'll turn that trade down in a instant. He wants to stay in Chicago (or he would have taken the Yankees bigger offer over the Cubs during the off season).

[Wingman1977]

What gives with the people in Cleveland? The Indians are in 1st are they are drawing squat. What's Indians fans excuse? It can't be location (Progressive field is in the city) nor price (their tix are well priced). They just need to get over the fact that Lebron is gone because they are missing some good baseball there.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

What gives with the people in Cleveland? The Indians are in 1st are they are drawing squat. What's Indians fans excuse? It can't be location (Progressive field is in the city) nor price (their tix are well priced). They just need to get over the fact that Lebron is gone because they are missing some good baseball there.

The Indians are a mirage, they have little shot at winning the division. Watch out for the Tigers.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

The Indians are a mirage, they have little shot at winning the division. Watch out for the Tigers.

They better watch out for us with that bush league crap. I bet any money that Nova is going to plunk one of theirs now (the umps didn't issue any warning so you can bank on it).

UPDATE: The ump did issue a warning which is horse $hit. Let the players police it themselves.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

What gives with the people in Cleveland? The Indians are in 1st are they are drawing squat. What's Indians fans excuse? It can't be location (Progressive field is in the city) nor price (their tix are well priced). They just need to get over the fact that Lebron is gone because they are missing some good baseball there.

Cleveland is a dying city. Here's the historical population for the city by decade. Peaked around 1950 and it's current population is 43% of what it was it it's peak. Also, the prolonged recession has hit that area harder than most.

1950 914,808 4.2%
1960 876,050 −4.2%
1970 750,903 −14.3%
1980 573,822 −23.6%
1990 505,616 −11.9%
2000 478,403 −5.4%
2010 396,815 −17.1%

Other cities in that region of the country have also fallen on hard times, but most aren't as bad as Cleveland For example the Detroit metro area population has remained pretty constant in recent decades, hovering around 4 million. I just cannot see how Cleveland will ever recover enough to support pro sports teams. The Cavaliers attendance was mostly a mirage thanks to LeBron. It'll probably fall off significantly in future seasons unless they reload quickly.

[wilky61]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6651634
MLB talks switching one NL team to the AL, sources say

This would make so much freaking sense, and the Houston Astros are absolutely the team from the 6-team division who should join the 4-team division when you look at the divisions...

[Hi-Def Steve]

And for something that just leaves me speechless...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,7363161.story

Embattled Dodgers owner Frank McCourt appears to be making a bid to show Major League Baseball that God –- or at least the leadership of some Los Angeles-area churches — is on his side.

After a meeting with McCourt last week, a group of 20 ministers, primarily from Baptist and Methodist churches, wrote a letter to baseball Commissioner Bud Selig urging him to give McCourt a second chance.

"We are deeply troubled by the rancor, media attacks and lack of equity that has been afforded the Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt as they seek to provide financial stability to one of baseball's most notable franchises," the June 3 letter states.

As McCourt has struggled to meet the Dodgers' payroll, Selig has appointed a trustee to oversee the team's business operations. McCourt has said a long-term television contract with Fox would resolve the Dodgers' financial troubles, but Selig has said he would not consider approving the contract until an investigation into the team's finances is completed.

McCourt has yet to settle his divorce. His estranged wife, Jamie, has asked a court to order the immediate sale of the Dodgers. And he also faces a lawsuit by the family of Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan brutally beaten in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on opening day, March 31.

John J. Hunter, senior minister of First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, said at a news conference Friday that McCourt's "inner circle" had reached out to the pastors, who then heard his appeal at a breakfast meeting.

The letter from the pastors, who represent primarily African American churches, cited the Dodgers' history in the civil rights movement as the home of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the major league. During the meeting with McCourt, Hunter said, pastors also heard from African American former players such as "Sweet Lou" Johnson and Maury Wills. Hunter called McCourt a "faithful steward" of the franchise.

Hunter said McCourt did not make any promise to donate money to the churches, nor did he offer any personal benefit to the ministers.

"Mr. McCourt is very appreciative of the incredible support the clergy leaders have offered," the Dodgers said in a statement. "Mr. McCourt has developed strong ties with diverse constituencies throughout Los Angeles since he purchased the Dodgers in 2004."

McCourt representatives declined additional comment.

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said Selig is "very sensitive to all of the things going on in Los Angeles."

"We are doing what we believe to be in the best interest of our sport and the great Dodgers franchise and its millions of loyal fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future," Courtney said.

Last month, a group of representatives of Latino organizations also wrote a letter to Selig advocating on McCourt's behalf and praising the Dodgers' relationship with the Latino community.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

And for something that just leaves me speechless...

This makes sense. Usually when a criminal is finally confronted publicly with his crimes and facing punishment/consequences he/she turnes to religion as a last resort. Wouldn't surprise me if McCourt bribed... err, I mean "donated" large amounts of money to these churches.

The fact that they even bring Jackie Robinson's name into this is despicable. The MLB color line was broken by Robinson SIX YEARS before McCourt was even born. Thank Branch Rickey and co. for that, not McCourt. McCourt never did anything for civil rights.

[Batman1980]

Twins crushed the Rangers 8-1 and are now 8-2 in their last 10 games, looks like they're getting healthy too. Should've been playing like this all season, jerks.

[Waboman]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Twins crushed the Rangers 8-1 and are now 8-2 in their last 10 games, looks like they're getting healthy too. Should've been playing like this all season, jerks.

Liriano loses his perfect game but still has a no-hitter going on in the 8th.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Waboman

Liriano loses his perfect game but still has a no-hitter going on in the 8th.

It's the 7th and I hope he keeps playing like this, will hopefully reduce the chances of keeping him instead of trading him away to the Yanks. This could be Liriano's second no-no of the season, fingers crossed.

[Waboman]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

It's the 7th and I hope he keeps playing like this, will hopefully reduce the chances of keeping him instead of trading him away to the Yanks. This could be Liriano's second no-no of the season, fingers crossed.

Lol. But he won't pitch again til the 8th. Yes, fingers crossed.

[Waboman]

Bartender how about a shot of Jack! Cuddyer goes yard for a 3-run home run! 6-0 Twins!